“FOX & Friends” co-host Brian Kilmeade spent Tuesday morning at the Metro Diner in Ponte Vedra Beach where the show’s signature “Breakfast With Friends” segment was broadcast live. Fans who had queued up outside the restaurant in the predawn hours quickly claimed every available seat once the doors were opened prior to the 6 a.m. start of the three-hour show.
The FOX News Channel personality used the times when the broadcast shifted away from the diner to speak with the patrons, asking their opinions of the economy, crime, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.
He also spoke remotely with DeSantis about the governor’s decision to end the Walt Disney Company’s self-governing status in Orlando. The Disney property has been placed under the supervision of a state board and the company has been ordered to pay its share of taxes.
Early in Tuesday’s segment, Kilmeade also talked about DeSantis’ newly released book, “The Courage to Be Free.” Later, he spoke remotely with Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas.
Kilmeade interviewed several local guests during the program: WOKV conservative talk radio host Mark Kaye, Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters and Lynyrd Skynyrd lead vocalist Johnny Van Zant.
Franchise owner John Davoli said the broadcast was arranged after FOX News contacted the Metro Diner’s marketing company to make the request. Though the restaurant doesn’t normally open until 7 a.m., Davoli opened an hour early to accommodate the broadcast.
Anticipating an influx of patrons, he brought in an extra eight team members. Considering the swell of customers, it was the right call.
“It’s been a pretty amazing turnout,” Davoli said.
Sitting at one of the tables were Julie Stevens and Frank Keaveney, who said they were “big fans” and had met Kilmeade at the recent Fox Nation Patriot Awards at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Stevens said they watch “FOX & Friends” every day, including weekends.
Asked what it means to them to have the show originate from a local diner, Keaveney said, “I love it. It’s our point of view. We enjoy meeting people that think like us.”
